Pre-Prologue(4)

"Hard to believe Akane² managed to do that"

While I don't have many regrets about my own death, I do wish I could experience the joy of watching the countless anime that air each season. They may not captivate me as much as Ais Wallenstein does, but they serve as a small hobby to fill the void.

'Speaking of regrets...'

My gaze momentarily drifts away from the screen that Eve has conjured with her divine power, granting me a glimpse of the anime world. Unexpectedly, the faces of two familiar individuals enter my mind.

Despite being nothing more than a despicable man consumed by an obsession, there is still a flicker of humanity left within me.

"Do you think you can show me what transpired after my demise?"

I make the request with an air of indifference as if it were a tedious chore. Not that it matters much, as I never truly cared for them in the end...

[....]

After meticulously finishing her preparations, Eve cast a contemplative gaze upon the intricate being that had shared these hours with her, releasing a gentle sigh that carried a tinge of both weariness and introspection.

['It's frustrating that I can even understand you now.']

[..Very well.]

The screen hanging in the air swiftly morphs from an image of a girl with bluish hair and eyes reminiscent of Hoshino Ai to... what one might consider a glimpse of reality.

'Can this even be deemed reality anymore?'

As peculiar thoughts wander through my mind, I witness the figures of two individuals on the screen. One is a woman with long, straight black hair. Though she may not possess striking beauty, there is an undeniable allure that captivates my gaze for more than a passing moment. Standing beside her is a beautiful child, bearing a resemblance to both the woman and myself.

The woman stands before a tomb, her eyes swollen from crying, as she tenderly consoles the child.

I observe her trembling lips, offering solace despite the evident pain and sorrow reflected in her black pupils.

Ah... part of me wishes I could disclose the truth to them. That my feelings were never as deep as they believed, that their emotional investment in me was ultimately futile...

[You can't touch them, Ren. It's an illusion.]

Eve's words jolt me from my reverie. Indeed, they are now nothing more than mere pixels, the very essence I once found repulsive.

After a fleeting moment, the ripples of the scene dissipate from my heart, and I turn my gaze towards Eve, silently conveying my desire for it to vanish. I have seen what I needed to see.

Once again, my gaze fixates on the woman whom I consider to be the embodiment of perfection. With a dismissive snort, I push aside such thoughts and turn my attention to more pressing matters.

"Now, I'm ready," I spat, a certain emptiness lingering in my eyes, although I remain oblivious to it.

[...I understand. As per your request, I have located a parallel reality that aligns with our criteria with an accuracy of approximately 90%. In this "Danmachi World," the new era has only just begun, meaning Ais Wallenstein's parents have already perished. However, as I mentioned before, irreversible events will still unfold. Therefore, you have a limited amount of time before she starts rapidly growing stronger. You will be on your own in managing that. As for the closest world to the Danmachi world, fortune favors you. This planet is abundant in mana, inhabited by a race known as the "Asura" who harness their mana core to augment their power. Their methods are highly suitable for your needs.]

With the assurance of a literal Goddess, I set aside my concerns about the power system until I reach that world.

[...I have one question for you, Ren Amamiya, before we proceed further.]

Her sudden use of my full name and the seriousness in her expression causes my previously relaxed brows to furrow once again, despite my baseless worries.

[...Will you eventually forget about her in a hundred years or so? After all, humans have a lifespan of around 70 years. They are not long-lived beings...]

Eve, fully aware of Ren's obsessive and twisted nature, still held the belief that he would somehow change his mind after merely a century, even though he may have to wait 800 to 900 years before Ais Wallenstein is even born.

To my surprise, her question elicits an urge within me to burst in a hearty laughter, as if I had just heard a delightful joke. Though my laughter is what I perceive, Eve witnesses my facial expressions contorting in a nearly deranged manner.

"Forget her?"

I inquire, my tone even colder than when I berated myself for falling obsessively in love with an "anime" character.

"Utterly Impossible."

To my astonishment, Goddess Eve does not immediately respond. It feels as if her eyes remain fixed on my face for several seconds before her barely audible voice reaches my ears.

[Very well, I will not doubt you. To continue our conversation...]

---

2. Akane from Oshi no Ko. Although I later mention Hoshino Ai as well, so you could've guessed which Akane Ren was talking about.

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